TODAY IN PARLIAMENT

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YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT

Clive Betts Chair, Communities and Local Government Committee

I am sure that the Minister is aware that modern diesel vehicles have either exhaust gas recirculation systems or diesel particulate filters fitted to stop the emission of harmful gases and particles. Is he aware of the increasing practice among the owners of diesel vehicles, including taxis and buses, of illegally removing these systems and causing these harmful gases to be emitted into the atmosphere? If he is aware of it, what is he doing about it, and if he is not will he investigate it and write to me about the action that he intends to take?

 John Hayes Minister of State (Department for Transport)

To write to the hon. Gentleman, who is a distinguished Member of this House whom I met briefly earlier this week, albeit not on these issues, would be inadequate. I will meet him to discuss this matter in some detail, because he clearly has expert understanding to bring to bear.

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Chris Evans Labour/Co-operative, Islwyn

As a member of that all-party parliamentary group, I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman’s chairmanship. He knows my interest in real-time credit scoring and that I think the situation is in desperate need of reform. I have always said that such reform would be a win-win situation: a win for the lenders because they would know to whom they were lending, and a win for the consumer because lenders would drive down their prices. I have been campaigning for real-time credit scoring since I came into Parliament, and I thank him for fully supporting the campaign, but that is for another day.

I recently had a lucky escape from a CCJ. In the past three years, I was involved in a minor collision outside my home here in London with a vehicle owned by the taxi firm Addison Lee.

When Addison Lee got into dispute with the insurance company, rather than negotiating with the insurance company, it went over the top of it and tried to issue me with county court proceedings. Had I not received the documents in time, a county court judgment would have been registered against me, even though it was my belief that the insurance company was dealing with the claim.

Luckily, I was fortunate enough to be able to act straightaway and seek legal advice, which prevented the CCJ, but people with similar cases have not been so fortunate.

Hansards 17-11-16

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RIBBLE VALLEY

ROGUE taxi drivers ‘flouting the law’ are set to be targeted by police and enforcement officers.

In the run-up to Christmas, police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency are running joint enforcement action to catch out taxi drivers illegally operating in the Ribble Valley.

Police said the action is in response to complaints that some drivers are ‘illegally plying for hire, not properly licensed or breaching the conditions of their licences’.

Sgt Dave Simpson said on-the-spot checks will take place throughout the borough in November and December to ensure vehicles are roadworthy, drivers properly licensed and that licence conditions are complied with.

Anyone found driving a private hire vehicle or hackney carriage without a valid licence or illegally plying for hire risks prosecution and those breaching licence conditions could see their licences suspended or revoked.

Vehicles found to be unsatisfactory will be subject to immediate prohibitions, advisory notices requiring work to be carried out within seven days, or the vehicle licence suspended or revoked.

Sgt Simpson said: “These checks are a response to concerns that some drivers are illegally plying for hire, not properly licensed or breaching the conditions of their licences.

“Drivers or vehicles not properly licensed will not have been through stringent checks to ensure the safety of the public and could be committing a criminal offence.

“These checks will identify drivers flouting the law and ensure the safety and roadworthiness of licensed vehicles.

“Licensed hackney and private hire drivers play an important role in Ribble Valley’s vibrant night-time economy by getting people home safely.”

As part of the campaign, Ribble Valley residents are also reminded not to use unlicensed taxis or flag down private hire vehicles.

Ribble Valley Council’s taxi enforcement officer, Carl Rung said: “Maintaining a high standard of vehicles is something we take seriously and we carry out regular checks to ensure taxis and their drivers are meeting licensing requirements.”

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SALISBURY

Uber is preparing to move into Wiltshire. The company, which allows customers to hail a nearby ride using an app on their smartphone, has held talks with Wiltshire Council about getting a licence to operate in the county.

Scott Woodford, managing director of Salisbury-based Value Cars, said it would be bad for the taxi business in the city, and for customers: “There’s enough strain on taxi drivers and operators as it is. There’s only so much work to go around.”

But Paul Humphries, operations manager at Salisbury firm Online City Cabs, said he was not worried about competition. He said while Uber might thrive in larger cities like London, it would struggle in a place like Salisbury: “It would never survive. There wouldn’t be the demand.”

Mr Humphries added that average fares in the city were between £5 and £7, while Uber drivers were used to trips of £20 and above.

Uber is just one of a number of apps people can download to their phones and use to book and pay for journeys. It uses satellite navigation to find a driver and allows customers to track the vehicle and pay using their phone.

Mr Humphries said his firm had been offering the same technology as Uber for years.

But another taxi driver, who asked not to be named, said he thought Uber would “completely kill” the taxi trade in Salisbury, adding: “It’s tough enough at the moment.”

Uber drivers use their own cars and are all licensed and regulated by the council.

The global company, which already operates in nearby cities and towns including Bath, Swindon, Bristol and Portsmouth, has told the council it plans to apply for a private hire operator’s licence in Wiltshire, in order to take bookings across the county.

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “Uber has made contact seeking information about our application process and policies.

“Any application for a licence would be assessed in accordance with our standards, policies and guidance.

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A TAXI driver has been made to pay more than £2,000 after illegally operating in Reading town centre.

On Saturday May 15 Arshid Mahmood, of Henry Street, Katesgrove, attempted to solicit trade on the King's Road in Reading, despite only having a license for South Oxfordshire.

The 62 year-old, who also did not have insurance, attempted to cover his tracks by providing licensing officers with a handheld computer and mobile phone which contained false booking information.

Mahmood appeared in Reading Magistrates Court on November 11 and was fined £1,350 and made to pay £1,224 in court costs for the transgressions.

On the same day Mohammed Orangzaid, of Lundy Lane, west Reading, appeared in the same court charged with plying for hire outside of South Oxfordshire and driving without insurance.

He was fined £200 and made to pay £200 costs.

Councillor Paul Gittings, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Consumer Services, said: “Well done to the council’s licensing officers for pursuing these cases and working with our legal team to secure a successful prosecution against these drivers.

“It sends a clear message that the council takes a strong stance against unlicensed drivers plying for hire in the borough and we will not hesitate to take tough action against them.”